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MP to step down over personal health concerns

A leading MP and former cabinet minister is to step down from his Darlington post at the next election after he revealed that his personal health would bar him from continuing at "full pelt".

Alan Milburn, who served as health secretary, revealed all to his party partners after he asserted that his battle against multiple sclerosis is causing him to struggle in his capacity as an MP serving the people to the best of his abilities.

Mr Milburn has fallen out of favour in recent years, in most part due to his stormy working relationship with current prime minister Gordon Brown.

However, Mr Milburn will continue to defy his multiple sclerosis and continue with his jobs at a number of companies, including Lloyds Pharmacy and PepsiCo.

Born in Tow Law in County Durham, Mr Milburn was elected Labour MP for Darlington in 1992 and, during his tenure, has also been chief secretary to the Treasury and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.